Themes: The Attraction of the Wilderness
Throughout the book, author Jon Krakauer shows how McCandless and other figures like him have been drawn to spend time alone in the American wilderness. Krakauer makes numerous comparisons between McCandless and men like Henry David Thoreau and John Muir. Similar to those earlier Americans, McCandless actively pursued a state of isolation in the wild. It was in those spaces that McCandless, Thoreau, and Muir found a spiritual wholeness that life in the city, surrounded by people, couldn't provide. Krakauer further explores nature's power to attract the wandering soul by discussing his own experiences in the American wilderness, as well as the experiences of men like Everett Ruess, Gene Rosellini, John Waterman, and Carl McGunn.
Expert Q&A
What did Thoreau mean by "truth," and why might McCandless have identified with this quote?
"rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth."
What Thoreau meant by “truth” was that which lies beyond us, far away from the superficialities of daily life. Christopher McCandless felt the same way. He identified with the above quotation because he saw that the world of wealth, fame, and material possessions was ultimately antithetical to the truth, and so he chose to retreat from it.
What are some detailed reasons why Chris McCandless went into the wild?
While it is impossible to know exactly why Chris McCandless went into the wild, in a letter to Ron Franz, it is clear that McCandless desired and sought never-ending adventure and new experiences and believed that the abandonment of security would lead to true happiness.
What was Chris McCandless's purpose for going into the wild? Did he fulfill his purpose?
Chris McCandless's purpose for going into the wild was to seek true happiness and the meaning of life by escaping materialism and societal norms. Inspired by transcendentalist writers, he aimed to live authentically and prove he could survive off the land. Although he died in the Alaskan wilderness, his final words and photograph suggest he fulfilled his purpose by finding peace and happiness.
What evidence suggests that Chris McCandless did not intend his journey into the wild to be fatal?
“Please return all mail I receive to the sender. It might be a very long time before I return South. If this adventure proves fatal and you don’t ever hear from me again, I want you to know you’re a great man. I now walk into the wild.”
Postcard to Wayne Westerberg.
“This is the last communication you shall receive from me. I now walk out to live amongst the wild. Take care, it was great knowing you.”
Postcard to Jan Burres
Evidence suggests Chris McCandless did not intend his journey to be fatal, as he expressed a desire for adventure rather than death. His postcards to Wayne Westerberg and Jan Burres reflect a hope to return and an appreciation for human connections he made during his travels. Jon Krakauer, who shared similar experiences, argues McCandless was driven by youthful overconfidence and a desire for challenge, not a death wish, as he sought to live "amongst the wild."
What is your interpretation of this quote about security and adventure from Into the Wild?
"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure" (57).
Chris McCandless's quote critiques societal norms of security, conformity, and conservatism, arguing they stifle the human spirit's inherent desire for adventure. He suggests that true fulfillment comes from embracing risks and living passionately, rather than adhering to conventional paths that promise peace of mind but lead to unhappiness. Influenced by thinkers like Thoreau, McCandless lived by these principles, valuing adventure over security, even at the cost of his life.
What are two examples from "Into the Wild" that connect Chris McCandless to this quote by Thoreau?
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an Oak. Shall he turn his spring into summer?"
Chris McCandless embodies Thoreau's idea of marching to a "different drummer" through his unconventional choices. One example is when he burns his cash, rejecting society's reliance on money, which many would deem reckless. Another is his refusal to carry a map into the Alaskan wilderness, prioritizing freedom over safety, despite the risks. Additionally, McCandless ignored academic conventions by refusing to follow instructions in school, and he abandoned a traditional career path despite his promising future.
In Into the Wild, why did Chris choose to isolate himself?
Chris McCandless isolated himself due to his complex character and strong moral beliefs. He rejected societal materialism and embraced self-reliance and nature, influenced by American Romantics like Thoreau and Emerson. His intense sense of right and wrong, combined with his reaction to his father's infidelity, contributed to his desire for isolation. His paradoxical personality, which both enjoyed social interactions and valued privacy, further explains his extreme behavior.
What did McCandless expect to accomplish with his "greatest adventure"?
Chris McCandless embarked on his "greatest adventure" to Alaska seeking a spiritual revolution by escaping civilization's materialism and discovering self-reliance in nature. He aimed to "kill the false being within" and transcend through solitude, inspired by transcendentalist ideals like those of Thoreau and Emerson. McCandless wished to live peacefully and spiritually, free from societal constraints. Although he may have spiritually succeeded, his lack of preparation led to his untimely death.
How does the allure of high-risk activities control young minds in Into the Wild?
What was McCandless's view on civilization versus nature?
Chris McCandless viewed civilization as corrupt and oppressive, favoring nature for its perceived purity and moral superiority. Influenced by writers like Thoreau and Tolstoy, he rejected societal norms, seeking self-reliance and freedom in the wilderness. McCandless criticized capitalism, social injustice, and government intrusion, choosing to live in nature to escape these influences. He believed that true authenticity and spiritual purification could only be achieved away from the constraints of civilized life.
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